If a small event can unbalance a large system, the system is sick.

[howard112211]

Any engineer/physicist/programmer is aware of this: If it takes only a tiny kick at the right spot to set off a chain reaction with disasterous results, then you have serious design flaws. The economists in charge of our economy apparently don't know this or don't care.

http://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/fat-finger-points-to-us-stocks-dive-20100507-uh91.html

[Wednesdays]

1. Or, it's working exactly as they planned.

That's even scarier.

[Dappleganger]

2. It's all a sham.

Those emails sent by various bankers/brokers are haunting to me...we are being played like a fiddle.

[raccoon]

3. What emails are you referring to? Link? nt

[spanone]

4. or rigged

[Echo In Light]

7. Both

[Speck Tater]

5. The more complex a system becomes, the more unstable it becomes.

We have passed the point of diminishing returns. Each new layer of complexity now makes the whole system less stable. Civilization is far more fragile than people realize. Just look at how one small failure somewhere in the electric grid can cascade and shut down power for millions of homes.

[howard112211]

6. Perhaps we need more decentralization.

[LanternWaste]

8. Or perhaps we simply need to pay attention...

Or perhaps we simply need to pay attention...

[Canuckistanian]

9. Don't they have 'backspace' on those trader computers?

Or at least 'Undo'?

How about a dialog box that says "You are about to sell 23 BILLION shares. Are you SURE?"